Dan Basham, Professor Bunri Tatsuno, Researcher Chie Madkoya and Jon Bonnar

Restorative Action at Langley Fine Arts draws international attention

Professor Bunri Tatsuno from Kokushikan University and researcher Chie Maekoya from Tokiwa University in Japan, paid a visit to Langley Fine Arts School on Wednesday January 27. The purpose of their visit was to find out about how Restorative Action is being used in Langley School District.

Restorative Action is a needs based response to conflict in schools that addresses the harm and looks to repair relationships. It is based on Restorative Justice Principles and values, but adapted to the school setting.

Langley Fine Arts School was selected from a number of schools in the district that have implemented the program because of its innovative use of Restorative Action. Pairs of trained secondary student mediators are matched up to each elementary grade in the school. The senior student mediators get to know the children in their assigned grade and then are available to help when a conflict situation arises.

Professor Tatsuno and Researcher Maekoya got to experience Restorative Action first hand as they participated in a Peace Circle that was held in teacher Dunja McCrae’s grade five class. The theme of the peace circle was responsibility taking and specifically on how to give and receive a sincere apology.

Restorative Action is in its tenth year in Langley School District. It is the product of a unique partnership between Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) and Langley School District. CJI has been offering Restorative Justice based programs for twenty five years, both in the community and the justice system. In 2000 the school district asked for help from CJI in developing and implementing Restorative Action in schools.

CJI has been working with Langley Fine Arts School since 2005. They have trained students and staff in Restorative Action every year at an annual retreat as well as providing ongoing support and mediation services. 

CJI receives funding from the Coast Capital Savings in order to carry out the program.

For more information please contact:
Dan Basham
Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association
#101-20678 Eastleigh Crescent, Langley BC. V3A 4C4
(604) 534-5515
danbasham@cjibc.org